Marla Gibbs set for ‘Grantham and Rose’

Thesp cast opposite Jake T. Austin in indie pic

Marla Gibbs has been cast opposite Jake T. Austin in the indie feature “Grantham and Rose,” with Kristin Hanggi directing.

Austin, who’s 17, will portray a young man struggling to find his way. A petty crime thrusts him into the company of a feisty 81-year-old African American woman, played by Gibbs, who teaches him about life and love, and together they take a road trip back to their roots.

The film also stars Tessa Thompson (“For Colored Girls”), Lisa Winters and Ryan Spahn, who also penned the script.

Production companies are Hanggi’s recently founded Wonderfalls Entertainment along with Thank You Keith Prods. Producers on “Grantham” are Meghan-Michele German, Evangel Fung, Spahn and Hanggi. It’s the feature directorial debut for Hanggi, who helmed “Rock of Ages” on Broadway.

The film is co-financed by Mark Lee of ClubNano Films. He will also exec produce with Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty”) through his Ur-Mee Entertainment.